NEWS: Vixel To Supply Next-Generation Storage Interconnect Solutions For Enterprise Storage Technology To Sun Microsystems
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1998--
Fibre Channel Storage Interconnect Solutions
For Centrally-Managed And Distributed Computing Environment
Vixel Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of Fibre
Channel storage interconnect solutions, announced today that it has
entered into an OEM agreement with Sun Microsystems, Inc., the
leading supplier of Fibre Channel storage arrays and Solaris server
systems.
Vixel will provide Sun with its Rapport 1000 Fibre Channel
storage interconnect hubs and its gigabit-per-second fiber optic
transceivers for use in distributed server-storage applications with
its Sun Enterprise Network Array A5000.
"Vixel has been providing Sun with Fibre Channel products since
it introduced its first Fibre Channel subsystem, the SPARCstorage
Array, in 1994, and we look forward to growing with them as they
introduce the next generation of Fibre Channel storage systems,"
said Jeff Vogel, vice president of sales and marketing for Vixel.
"This relationship provides Vixel with a strong foot hold in the
enterprise storage market." Vixel offers the only flexible Fibre
Channel storage interconnect solutions in the market featuring user
configurable media and hot pluggable ports.
"As one of Sun's first Fibre Channel suppliers, Vixel has a track
record of providing leading edge products and world-class service
both of which contribute to our time-to-market advantage," said
Robin Harris, a Marketing Manager at Sun Microsystems Computer
Company's storage products business unit. "Vixel is typical of the
high-caliber company we're forming alliances with to build open
storage enterprise interconnect solutions."
About The Marketplace
As networked environments have become increasingly decentralized,
the difficulties of managing and storing the vast amounts of
mission-critical data needed in real-time enterprise-wide have
exploded. Many enterprise customers require reliable and scaleable
storage architecture that can handle the needs of a
centrally-managed, distributed network.
"Our user-focused forums tell us that one of the single most
important issues that IT faces today is how to manage the incredible
growth of storage and processors," said Vogel. In fact, the Gartner
Group forecasts that over 70 percent of shared storage in networked
environments will be re-centralized by the year 2000. Fibre
Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) systems allow for centrally-managed
storage at up to ten kilometers away from the network site, and at
speeds 100 times faster than are now available.
"Sun has been a leader in bringing Fibre Channel to market, and
enabling Solaris to become the first server platform to fully take
advantage of the performance, usability and distance benefits that
Fibre Channel provides," says Ed Frymoyer, president of emf
Associates, a research firm specializing in Fibre Channel, located in
Mountain View, Calif. "Vixel's relationship with Sun helps give them
the visibility to establish a strong position as leaders in bringing
emerging interconnect solutions to the enterprise storage market."
About Vixel's Products
Vixel's Rapport 1000 Fibre Channel storage interconnect hubs
provide single-point solutions for FC-AL topologies for interconnect
gigabit-per-second speeds between servers and storage subsystems.
Vixel hubs are designed for mix-and-match configuration of fiber
optic (short wave and long wave) and copper media, allowing IT the
flexibility to tailor storage loops that can grow with the
organization's needs. Vixel's hubs are also hot-pluggable, allowing
for live configurations, so IT and end-users alike benefit by not
having to shut down the system for maintenance or port
reconfiguration.
The OE1063SW Fibre Channel Optical-to-Electrical transceiver is a
highly integrated data communication subsystem that provides
high-speed, fiber optic serial links at a signaling rate of 1063 Mbps
transmission. The OE1063SW was designed for use in a broad range of
gigabit-per-second applications that require "hot-plug" and
"hot-growth" capability allowing for online changes to Fibre Channel
storage loops without taking the devices off-line.
About Vixel
Vixel Corporation is a leading developer of Fibre Channel storage
interconnect solutions, including managed and unmanaged hubs and
optical transceivers. Vixel and its products provide one stop
shopping of flexible gigabit-per-second products that IT requires to
build efficient and affordable storage interconnect solutions for
data-intensive applications. Its products are designed for
high-availability enterprise applications while maintaining reliable
storage system data access and maximum uptime.
Founded in 1991, Vixel markets storage interconnect solutions to
mainstream computer, storage and peripheral manufacturers. Its
solutions answer the data-intensive demands of server applications
such as CAD/CAM, data warehousing, online banking, real-time medical
analysis, and full motion video. Vixel is headquartered in Bothell,
Wash., with sales offices in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and
Texas. For more information, contact the company at: 11911
Northcreek Pkwy. So., Bothell, WA 98011. Phone: 425/806-4011. Fax:
425/806-4050. Email: marketing@seattle.vixel.com or visit Vixel's
Web site at vixel.com .
CONTACT:
Vixel Corp. Parker LePla
Mary Lindstrom Eric Nobis
425/806-4011 206/285-5280
mlindstrom@seattle.vixel.com nobis@parkerlepla.com |
